Purchasing a lifetime subscription to your favorite software sounds incredible, right? No monthly payments and easy access to your favorite program, whether it is a VPN service or software for design and programming.

However, there are major downsides to choosing a forever subscription. Understanding why software lifetime subscriptions are a terrible idea can help prevent wasting your hard-earned money on a solution that is simply no longer viable in an ever-changing tech market.

Relevance

Not all software is built to last, especially with the advent of social media and smartphone technology. Purchasing lifetime subscriptions from a business can feel overwhelmingly disappointing once the software is no longer relevant or no longer serves a purpose in your everyday life.

One example is the company TomTom. TomTom was notorious for its powerful GPS devices and satellite programs. Driving was simplified if you were the owner of a TomTom and if you were privy to a lifetime subscription, allowing you to update software free of charge.

Even while old GPS solutions online such as MapQuest began rolling out, TomTom provided a physical device that remained useful when traveling and on-the-go.

Fast forward to the release of smartphones and new built-in GPS systems such as Google Maps, which quickly outperformed traditional TomToms. With Google Maps, data is updated in less time, routes are easily stored, and traffic is detected while driving--all free of charge.

Alternative GPS apps were created such as Waze, cause most TomTom owners to retire their devices in the name of convenience and free services. Those who purchased a lifetime subscription may feel as if they have thrown their money away as the GPS included with TomTom does not measure up to that of free applications embedded in our everyday devices.

Cloud Innovation

We never know what the next year is going to bring us in terms of technology. Technology is shifting at a phenomenal pace, providing us with the ability to communicate faster, share files quickly, and access media through streaming devices in an instant. Without knowing the future, it is impossible to tell how lifetime subscriptions may evolve and become even more obsolete. The invention and innovation of "The Cloud" is one example.

The cloud was first utilized by web developers, programmers, and technical--allowing everyday users to still take advantage of lifetime subscriptions they had purchased.

However, as time passed, more companies realized the benefit of switching to the cloud. Companies such as Adobe once offered a lifetime subscription to their design programs (including Adobe Photoshop, Dreamweaver, and Adobe Illustrator).

Today, it is now much more affordable to pay for a Creative Cloud license than it was to purchase a lifetime subscription that required users to download entire programs and software bundles to their hard drives. With a cloud solution, accessing software is now easier than ever and can be done on a need-to-use basis.

The cloud was an extremely unpredictable invention and innovation in the tech sector, but has since become commonplace among individuals and corporations alike. Using the cloud is optimal as it provides access to necessary tools and software from any location with any device at all times.

For those who have purchased a lifetime subscription to a company that has shifted to the cloud, it may feel disappointing to know that saving money would have been possible if they had just waited for the technology to evolve.

Temporary Use

Companies such as Microsoft have always used a standard model of selling their programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Over the years, Microsoft likely noticed that users were no longer interested in paying for an entire bundle or updating their software for little to no changes (while still requiring a fee).

Today, Microsoft allows users to rent software for both short and long-term use. Those who have purchased a lifetime subscription in the past may not feel satisfied with the innovation at Microsoft, especially if they have paid a significant amount to maintain their access to the programs.

With lifetime subscriptions to any software or program, it is difficult to determine whether or not the solution will last. Without knowing what direction a company plans to go in, investing in a lifetime subscription is extremely risky and now always rewarding.

Additionally, it is essential to keep in mind that technology is ever-evolving and constantly shifting, providing us with new and innovative ways to complete tasks and develop our surroundings. Once a program is no longer necessary to complete a task, a lifetime subscription becomes obsolete and far from useful.

Closing Shop

What happens if a company that offers lifetime subscriptions no longer serves a purpose or becomes unprofitable? Do you get your money back? More often than not, the answer is no. With a wildly unpredictable tech landscape, it is impossible to know which companies are likely to be around 5, or even 10 years from now.

When a company files bankruptcy or closes shop, loyal customers who have purchased lifetime subscriptions are left without any possible recourse.

It is also important to keep in mind that many companies are sold in the tech industry. Whether a company merges or simply gets sold off to a new owner, there is no way to predict how a sale or merger will impact your lifetime subscription.

Before choosing to purchase a lifetime subscription to any company or service it is important to ask whether or not the investment is truly worth it, especially if anticipate major changes in the market in just a short time.

While lifetime subscriptions have a marketing appeal and draw loyal customers in, they are often short-lived, leaving users feeling as if they lost out on their investment. Anytime a company is offering a lifetime subscription option for one of their programs or their main software solution, consider the future outlook regarding the technology and features that are included.

When in doubt, simply skip the lifetime subscription and opt for purchasing licensing for a solution on-the-go. Source.